Thorsby’s annual Swedish Fest Pageant continues to see high participation, as a total of 86 contestants will compete Monday and Tuesday nights, Oct. 11-12.

The pageant will be held at the Thorsby High School auditorium at 6 p.m. both nights. Admission is $5 per person at the door.

There are six categories, which will be dovetailed over the two nights — Monday night, the Tiniest Miss (ages 2-4), Little Miss (8-10) and Junior Miss (13-15) will compete. On Tuesday night, the Tiny Miss (5-7), Young Miss (11-12) and Miss Swedish Fest (16-19) will compete.

Pageant Director Marika Porter said participation is about equal to that of last year.

“We’re running about 90 every year,” she said. “We’re very pleased with that.”

Contestants in the Miss Swedish Fest category will compete for a $1,000 scholarship, Porter said.

Also, for the first time, Junior Miss and Miss contestants will kick off the pageant with an opening dance number.

All winners will represent Thorsby at different events throughout the year such as parades, grand openings, Independence Day, Movies in the Park and Halloween on the Farm.

“We try to do anything affiliated with Thorsby,” Porter said.

The reigning Swedish Fest Queens are Makiley Porter (Tiniest), Gracie Owens (Tiny), Kaley Easterling (Little), Resha Grace (Young), Alyson Childress (Junior Miss) and Alyssa Childress (Miss).

Following are all contestants in the 2010 competition:

•Miss Swedish Fest: Connie Dale, Jonica Hicks, Marisa Hilyer, Linlee Karn, Haley Kelley, Caitlin Lucas, Macy McGriff, Lacey Mims, Candace Pierce, Kalyn Shannon, Brianna Veazey and Hanna Yeargan.

•Junior Miss: Kelsie Barrett, Kandice Cleckler, Darian Green, Laken Hayes, Alexis Mason, Marissa Muir, Anna Grace Parnell, Elizabeth Ray, Makenzie Ray, Catherine Rowe and Kelsea Smith.

•Young: Madison Gunn, Taylor Hayes, Shanda Manasco, Kayla McNeil, Mallory Stewart, Carlea Swindle, Hannah Tierce and Brooke Wilkerson.

•Little: Elizabeth Ann Alstott, Adi Piper Argent, Madalyn Barrington, Claea Bice, Stella Bice, Megan Black, Lacey Caudle, Jaden Chandler, Zoey Collum, Kinley Copen, Destiny Knight, Mary Addison Minor, Reagan Powell, Claire Staggs, Alyssa Stilwell, Taylee Sullivan, Zoey Watley and Lindsey Elizabeth Wood.

•Tiny: Hannah Benson, Alena Connell, Addyson Grace Gilliland, Addison Hayes, Laura Hayes, Emma Jones, Brooke Lewellen, Emilee Smith, Halle Sullivan, Haylie Patterson, Marybeth Porter, Olivia Claire Parker, Gracen Nicole Powell, Kalyn Smith, Kerragan Traywick, Abigail Whittle, Kailee Williams and Mattie Woodall.

•Tiniest: Caylene Bice, Anna Cate Burnett, Alli Kate Calhoun, Kylee Connell, Alexa Deavers, Allie Fulmer, Anna Gothard, Cresley Haggard, Anna Lewellen, Emma Grace Penley, Ella Claire Price, Lynnsie Shimel, Addison Spearman, Madison Taylor, Madison Thornton, Kallie Traywick, Caitlyn Varden, Addyson Williams and Mary Leigh Williams.